By Christie Vanover | Published September 20, 2015 | Last Updated February 16, 2023
Before smoking halibut, you’ll want to brine it for at least three hours in the refrigerator. This brine uses a combination of sugars and coriander
Once the brine has soaked in, rinse the fish and smoke it a low temperature for about 2 hours or until the fish reaches 140F degrees.
At this point, you can serve it hot, or chill it and serve it cold with homemade tartar sauce and capers.
Sorry about this video format. It was recorded during my Periscope days when videos were shot vertically. It didn’t really translate well to YouTube.
Smoked Halibut
Skip the salmon tonight and try something new – smoked halibut with homemade tartar sauce.
Ingredients
Smoked Halibut
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup kosher salt
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 2 lbs fresh halibut
Homemade Tartar Sauce
- 2 tbsp white onion minced
- 1/4 cup tomatoes diced
- 2 tbsp dill pickle diced
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tsps vinegar from a jar of hot peppers
- salt to taste
Instructions
Smoked Halibut
- Mix the sugars, salt and coriander together. Rub all over the halibut. Wrap in plastic wrap, place on a rimmed sheet pan and brine in the fridge for 3 hours.
- Remove the plastic wrap and rinse of the fish. Pat it dry. Set it on a drying rack over a sheet pan for 1-2 hours in the fridge.
- Heat the smoker to 200 degrees. Smoke for 2 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 140 degrees.
Homemade Tartar Sauce
- Mix all the ingredients together and serve with the fish.
Nutrition
Calories: 502kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 42gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 122mgSodium: 14548mgPotassium: 1026mgSugar: 26gVitamin A: 260IUVitamin C: 2.5mgCalcium: 39mgIron: 0.7mg
This estimate was created using an online nutrition calculator
Brag About Your BBQShare it on Instagram using #GirlsCanGrill
Hi Christie!
I recently moved from California to Texas so I thought I’d better learn how to smoke and bbq properly! I’m starting on a gas grill with chips and depending how things go, will upgrade to a “proper” smoker. I used this recipe on some halibut I caught in Alaska and it was awesome! I added some cumin because then end result was tacos. I can’t wait to try more of your recipes!
I love that you added cumin. Fantastic idea.
1/2 cup of salt!!!!
The salt is used as a dry brine. You don’t leave it on the fish.
You should check out how to dry brine. Some of the science;
Salt is made of sodium and chloride ions that carry electrical charges. These ions attack the proteins, causing them to unwind a bit, a process called denaturing. These altered proteins have a greater ability to retain water, so meat that has been treated with salt remains moister through the cooking process.
Used Applewood
We followed the instructions to a T and smoked it and pulled it off at 137 degrees internal temp. The fish was terrible – the smoke created a thick leathery bark on the fish and the fish inside was dry and so salty it was disgusting. I’m scratching my head what could have gone wrong. We have 2 lbs of Halibut cut into 4 fillets. Any suggestions?
Sorry, the amount of salt in this recipe is way too much for a dry brine. Against my better judgement, followed this recipe exactly and the halibut came out like a salt lick.
Would use the amounts shown as a wet brine, which is better for fish anyways. If you have to dry brine, sprinkle on 1/2 tablespoon per pound. Don’t use 1/2 cup of salt for 2 lbs of fish.
The amount of salt is required to draw moisture out of the fish, as smoking is usually a form of preservation. The instructions would be better serves by saying ” remove the plastic wrap and rinse the fish, rinse the fish completely and thoroughly to remove all the salt. Rinsing the fish under cold running water for a long time until all the salt is washed away. You CANNOT over rinse at this stage.
Then pat dry.
I followed the recipe to the T and yes I rinsed very well after the brine. I did put olive oil on it to help with moisture and we loved it. The tarter sauce was very complimentary to the fish and I used hot dill pickles and their juice for the tarter. Turned out yummy. I will say that a bite once in awhile was salty. I don’t know the answer to every one’s questions about brining except to say rinse the fish a lot as stated above. It’s a good recipe!
Been involved with smokers for years. From homemade wood box, old old refrigerators (before plastic innards) to the simple ones of today yet I seek advice or suggestion. I have a bunch of halibut with NO skin. Never smoked fish without the skin. What can I do .? Afraid it will fall apart.
You may want to place it on a mesh mat. This will allow the smoke to still permeate the fish. https://amzn.to/3R0qGhL
been smoking skinless halibut for 20 odd years. 1 part sat to three parts brown sugar guy, pepper to taste mix yo9ur rub put it on both sides of the Butt and let sit for three to five hours, rinse thoroughly and pat dry. I use a cold smoke for three hours. Remove, vacuum pack – freeze or use – your choice.